Sussex County Land Trust recently welcomed members of the public to Baywood Greens for their annual board meeting. At the meeting, the trustees provided details on recent trust initiatives, nominated new officers and committee members while also highlighting several key property holdings in Sussex County.
“We were founded in 2001 as a non-profit organization to protect natural, cultural, agricultural and recreational resources through land preservation, stewardship and education in Sussex County,” Sara Bluhm, Executive Director, said. “During the presentation, our board chair, Ring Lardner, emphasized the importance of our partnership with Sussex County Council, allowing us to raise more than $4,000,000 in private funds and protected more than 6,000 acres in Sussex County.”
One property in the Milford area, Forest of the Broadkill, located at the intersection of Shingle Point Road and Route 30 southwest of Milton, was acquired by Sussex County Council through its Conservation Program to provide public access.
“This property features a mix of woodland, open meadow and frontage along Ingram Branch, a tributary of the Broadkill River,” Bluhm said. “It will be managed by the trust and is currently in the design phase for a master plan that includes trail access and a public parking area.”
Stephen P. Hudson Park, also located in Milton at the intersection of Route 9 and Cool Spring Road, is another project recently developed for use as a trailhead and parking area with direct access to the Georgetown-Lewes Trail. This newly opened park will include a can-do playground which is currently in planning in partnership with Sussex County Rotary Clubs.
Other properties acquired by and under the protection of the trust include Ickford Park in Seaford, Nanticoke Crossing Park in Seaford, Hopkins Preserve in Lewes and Ard Na Greine in Lewes.
Outgoing members of the board of trustees were recognized and included Heidi Gilmore, Russ McCabe along with Ron Vickers. Hal Carmean II, SCLT Board member and Co-Chair of the Fundraising and Events Committee, unveiled a donation opportunity with naming rights for projects and trails.
“We are always looking for new partners to further these important initiatives,” Carmean said. “These donation levels and naming rights offer folks the ability to leave a legacy for their contribution.”
Learn more about SCLT’s vision, initiatives and opportunities at www.sclandtrust.org.
